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Improve Your Price, and Improve Your Selling Opportunities.

The Big Bear Real Estate Market is not unlike any other market - Price is still the best indication of value. The most important piece of information your Realtor will provide is the market price. Get ahead of it, and you will be on your way to your next Real Estate destination. Spending time or money on improvements that a buyer may or may not want will cost a seller big money in a market that is falling. Get the home clean, remove the clutter from the yard and interior, paint with neutral colors if needed, … [Read more...]

Previewing Homes Online Is Less Than Effective

Finding homes online is not the most effective use of time for a buyer. Yes it's interesting, yes it's entertaining, but it is a less than effective way to really shop for a home. By far the most valuable time you can spend looking at homes is to actually have all of the information and physically visiting each home and neighborhood. Doing this with an experienced Realtor will even be better. Most buyers will understand this very well once they are able to look with an agent that really knows the inventory and … [Read more...]

Is The Big Bear Real Estate Market Headed Toward The Perfect Storm?

I believe it could be. The current state of the real estate market in Big Bear reminds me of a scene in the movie, "The Perfect Storm". Near the end of the movie, after the fishing boat and its crew battle huge waves and horrible weather, things clear up.  They think they made it through.  But, the storm comes right back even stronger and eventually sinks the ship & crew. This is similar to the current state of the real estate market in Bear.  We've seen rough waters over the past 2-3 years, and things … [Read more...]

Big Bear Foreclosure Numbers – July 2009

Foreclosure numbers in Big Bear are still on the rise. The foreclosure filings in July 2009 were up 16% from June 2009, and 81% from July 2008. Keep in mind, foreclosure filings are made up of Notices of Default, a recorded document that starts the foreclosure process, Notices of Sale, a recorded document that sets the date for the Trustee Sale, and lastly, Trustee Sales, properties that go back to the bank or sold to third parties. While the overall news on the real estate market may appear to be getting … [Read more...]

Big Bear Foreclosure Numbers – June 2009

Sorry for being a little late with these. The number of Big Bear properties that went back to the bank (future bank owned listings) in June 2009 was an all time high at 52, 8 more than the previous high of 44 set in May. In total, the foreclosure filings for the month of June 2009 were down 2% from May 2009, but up 34% from the June 2008 numbers.  Keep in mind, foreclosure filings are made up of Notices of Default, a recorded document that is the start of the foreclosure process, Notices of Sale, a recorded … [Read more...]

What’s Best? Bank Owned, Short Sale, or Traditional Seller?

Many buyer's in today's market think that the deal is more important than the house. They often get caught up in the misconception that bank owned or short sale properties are the only homes that they should look at. This would be a grave mistake. Even though it is true that the bank owned and short sale properties are driving the Big Bear Real Estate market, we are still selling many units that are listed by traditional sellers. What's best? It's best to select a home that fits your needs, is in a good location, … [Read more...]

So, We’ve Hit Bottom In Big Bear……..Not So Fast!

[viddler id=8b2cd2a8&w=545&h=349] There's been a lot of talk recently about the real estate market in Big Bear hitting the bottom. Rightfully so, with sales up nearly 50% from last year, interest rates under 5%, the number of properties on the market down 25%, and prices down 25% to 50% from their peak, it is natural to think we are there are close to it. I guess it depends on what you call the bottom, number of sales or prices? If it is sales, then yes, we already hit bottom last year. But, prices are … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate Market – Monthly Foreclosure Numbers February 2009

In order to know where we are going as a real estate market, it is important to see where we have been in the past. Without running the numbers and creating the foreclosure charts below, it would be impossible to really forecast what is coming down the pike in Big Bear.  That said, the number of notices of default, notices of sale, and properties that went back to the bank in February 2009 were the highest we have seen since the tracking started in October of 2006. What does this mean?  We are going to see many … [Read more...]

You Make Money When You Buy, Not Sell

The title of this post is something I heard a few times over the years.  It didn't make a lot of sense then but sure does now. Reminds me of something Warren Buffett would say.  One of his most famous & recently well used quotes is "to be cautious when others are greedy, and greedy when others are cautious." Less face it, right now, a lot of people are cautious. Even with the 20-50% price drops, and more and more bank owned deals hitting the market, some buyers continue to wait on the sidelines.  I am not … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate Monday Market Update For 2/23/2009

Below is your weekly update for the Big Bear real estate market as of 2/23/2009. Property Type Listings for Sale Change from Last Week Pending Sales Change from Last Week Sales Year to Date Change from Last Week RESIDENTIAL 908 -1 115 -6 86 +16 VACANT LAND 361 +16 10 0 3 +1 CONDOS 46 0 6 -1 1 0 GOVERNMENT LEASE 12 0 0 0 0 0 COMMERCIAL & RES INVESTMENT 54 +2 4 0 1 +1 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 11 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 1392 +17 135 -7 91 +18 A few notes about the market - Home sales for the year now stand … [Read more...]